Andrew Sanchez, a student at Midland College, has been making strides both in his academic pursuits and as a social media influencer. With an associate degree in business soon to be under his belt, Sanchez is already reaping the benefits of his entrepreneurial skills.
According to a news release from Midland College, Sanchez intends to further his education at the same institution by pursuing a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Organizational Management. His online presence is noteworthy with 65,000 followers on TikTok and partnerships promoting products related to anime and K-pop. Recently, Rakuten Viki, an international Asian-focused video streaming website and channel, engaged Sanchez for promotional activities in Los Angeles.
Sanchez began his journey into social media during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I started this as a hobby during COVID," he said. "One day I posted a video of myself being funny and imitating my favorite group Blackpink, a K-pop girl group. I couldn't believe the people that liked it, so I kept doing it. I have followers from all over the world, mainly the United States, Japan and the United Kingdom."
Despite his success on social media platforms, Sanchez prioritizes academics above all else. According to a statement from Midland College, when the pandemic hit in March 2020 during his sophomore year at Midland High School, Sanchez embraced digital learning wholeheartedly.
His dedication helped him graduate a year early, and he finished within the top three percent (#19) of Midland High School's 2022 graduating class.
"Excelling in school has always been important to me," he said. "I quit playing soccer when I was 15 in order to focus on my academics. The more I learn in my business courses, the more I know that this is the right direction for my career.”
Sanchez is currently attending Midland College on the Young Professionals in Energy (YPE) Scholarship, and he expressed gratitude for the guidance and support he has received from members of the organization.
"While my ultimate goal is to start my own business, I think that I would first like to work in the finance or accounting department of a company, probably an oil and gas company.”